FUNKOPIA is finally out!
This album marks a true milestone: 30 years since I first gathered the musicians who would become Redtenbacher’s Funkestra. Back in 1995 at Berklee, I could not have imagined that three decades later I’d still be working on this collective – writing, recording, and performing original funk-jazz music with such an incredible network of players. What started as a student recital has grown into a long-running band, a recording family, and a creative community.
FUNKOPIA is the latest chapter in that journey. Ten new originals, recorded with many of my long-standing collaborators. Every track reflects the spirit of collaboration that has kept this project alive all these years.
MUSICIANS ON FUNKOPIA
* Horn House: Nichol Thomson (trombone), Tom Walsh (trumpet), Graeme Blevins (saxophones), Andrew Ross (saxophones & flutes)
* Saxophones: Tucker Antell, Piers Green, Andreas See
* Guitars: Carter Arrington, Simon Peter King, Mike Outram, Nigel Price, Tony Rémy
* Keyboards: Joe Glossop, Dave Limina, Anders Olinder, Ross Stanley, Stevie Watts, Jim Watson
* Drums: Doug Harper, Mike Sturgis, Ian Thomas
* Percussion: Fergus Gerrand, Karl Vanden Bossche
* Bass: Stefan Redtenbacher
The album is available digitally on all platforms (incl. Bandcamp and SoundCloud) – and for those who prefer something to hold, we’ve pressed a limited edition 180g translucent red vinyl with printed inner sleeve and artwork by Neil J Hart, alongside photography by Rob Blackham. It’s a record that feels special not only musically but also as a physical object.
To mark the release, we’re taking the Funkestra on the road for a run of UK dates this autumn and winter. We’ll be bringing FUNKOPIA to life on stage, celebrating the new music while also looking back on three decades of funk, fusion, and friendship.
UK TOUR DATES
* PizzaExpress Live, Holborn (London) – October 7
* Dawkes Music (Maidenhead) – October 9
* The Civic, Trowbridge – October 17
* Loxwood Jazz Club, Billingshurst – October 21
* Ex Cellar, Kingston – October 24
* West End Centre, Aldershot – November 1
* Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham – December 5
The FUNKOPIA YouTube video playlist.
I want to thank everyone who has supported this project so far – whether you’ve come to shows, bought vinyl, streamed our music, or shared it with friends. Every bit of encouragement has allowed me to keep creating and to grow the Funkestra into what it is today.
So, whether you’ve been following us since the early days or have just discovered our music, I invite you to dive into FUNKOPIA. Turn it up loud, enjoy the grooves, and celebrate 30 years of funk with us.
Listen on your favourite digital platform and if you’d like to support us even further, consider picking up the vinyl. It means a lot, and it all goes back into making more music.
With gratitude and funk, Stefan